Preparing for a civilian career is critical, whether you’re coming to the end of your Air Force career or you’re retiring. There are plenty of challenges with transitioning out of the Air Force, but being an Airman sets you up for success in your future career in the civilian world.

However, you will need to know how to leverage your skills so you can stand out to potential employers. Your military service can help you get your foot in the door, but knowing how to emphasize your skills and make yourself stand out against other applicants can help you land the job you want. Learn more about the skills you develop as an Airman and how you can leverage them to your ideal job after your transition out of the Air Force.

Job Skills You Learn Through the Air Force

You’ll develop many skills in the Air Force that you can transfer to your future career in the civilian world. Some of these skills include:

●Discipline

●Leadership

●Time-management

●Adaptability

●Teamwork

●Problem-solving

●Responsibility

While these are all broad skills, they will be useful as you embark on a new career outside the military. Additionally, you will develop skills relevant to your occupation in the military, many of which can be used in civilian career fields that are the same or similar to what you do in the Air Force. For example, if you performed a lot of mechanical or maintenance work as part of your job in the Air Force, you can look for work in the civilian world as a mechanic or maintenance repair technician.

Different Career Fields Where Airmen Can Thrive

Many skills you develop during your time in the Air Force will directly correlate with many civilian jobs, giving you plenty of opportunities after the Air Force. Below are some examples of civilian careers and how your skills can be useful in these industries:

●Information technology: The Air Force has access to some of the latest technology, which means many of our Airmen have direct hands-on experience working with technology relevant to the field. Airmen who work with this technology may be good candidates for careers in database administration, cybersecurity, and information security specialist.

●Logistics: Many Airmen develop skills and experience in cargo handling, inventory management, and transportation planning. These skills transfer particularly well into the logistics industry, which makes many Airmen excellent candidates.

●Project management: Airmen with leadership experience develop skills that make them an excellent fit for project management roles. Many of the skills required for this career include managing a team and delegating tasks, which are naturally developed as part of being a leader in the Air Force.

●Healthcare: Airmen who work in healthcare while in the Air Force can continue in the industry in the civilian world, taking the skills they’ve learned and applying them to civilian healthcare and medicine. Whether you worked as a direct-care provider or managed computer networks in the field, many healthcare employers will recognize the high level of skill developed while working in the Air Force.

●Public service: You can find plenty of job opportunities in the public service industry as a prior member of the U.S. military. Whether you want to be law enforcement, first responder, firefighter, or even a teacher, many employers in this industry love hiring prior military. Plus, the training you receive in the Air Force can give you a jump start in a career in public service.

Keep in mind that these are just a small few of many industries and fields that Airmen are capable of entering once they join the civilian workforce. There are over 200 careers in the Air Force, many of which help you develop skills you can use in the civilian world.

Tips for Using Your Air Force Experience for Your Civilian Career

Now that you know you have the skills to succeed in the civilian world, it’s time to leverage your experience and skills so you can land that job after leaving the Air Force. Below are some of the best tips we have for leveraging your Air Force experience when you start your job search.

1. Update Your Resume

Your resume is most employer’s first impression of you, and they’ll get a general idea of your skills and capabilities from your resume. With that in mind, it’s important to spruce up your resume so it’s ready to present to potential employers.

The first thing you should do is update your resume with the strongest skills you developed while you were in the Air Force that have the greatest relevance to the job you want. However, you want to avoid military jargon when possible unless you’re applying for a military-savvy company since many civilians will be unfamiliar with the language. You should also avoid using uncommon acronyms. While you may have gotten used to using them in the Air Force, most civilians won’t know what you’re talking about and can overlook important information about your qualifications.

Instead, keep things simple and follow these general guidelines:

●Use language relevant to the job listing

●Avoid long and unnecessary paragraphs

●Consolidate your skills

●Write a brief cover letter to go into more depth about your skills

There are resources on-base you can use to help you with your resume if you’re not sure where to start or just want to have someone look over it for you. Once you start the process of leaving the Air Force, you’ll gain access to these resources so you can start preparing in advance for your entrance into the civilian workforce.

2. Look for Jobs With Veteran’s Preference

If you want to keep working for the federal government after your time in the Air Force, you will have veteran’s preference in the hiring process. Veteran’s preference doesn’t guarantee that you’ll land a specific job, but it can give you an advantage when applying for government jobs. Keep in mind that you will need an honorable discharge to be eligible for veteran’s preference.

3. Make a Plan Before You Start Searching

You don’t want to start applying to just any available job listing when you start looking for your civilian career. Instead, take some time to consider where your skills will be most applicable. For example, if you performed a lot of administrative duties as part of your career in the Air Force, you should think about applying for civilian admin positions. If you want to change careers after leaving the Air Force, you may need to learn a trade or go to school to learn something new.

After you decide what you want your career to be outside of the Air Force, you can start planning how you’re going to reach that goal. A good starting point would be the Transition Assistance Program (TAP), which is a resource you gain access to as you start to leave the Air Force where you’ll get assistance with resume building, choosing careers, and finding jobs.

Knowing what your goal is and creating a plan to reach that goal is one of the most effective ways to leverage your skills. You’ll know exactly what skills are needed and can start focusing on the work you need to do to obtain your ideal career outside of the Air Force.

4. Look for Resources Through the VA

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides plenty of resources for transitioning Airmen who are looking for a career in the civilian world. Some of the resources you’ll have access to include:

●USAJOBS to look for government jobs.

●Veterans Employment Center to assist with job searches, resumes, cover letters, and applications.

●VetNet for preparation and training for the workforce.

●The Office of Veterans Business Development to assist veterans with starting a business.

On top of these resources, the VA also has plenty of other resources to help you with finding work once you finish your military career. Whether you want to stay in the same field or find something new, the VA and its resources can help you find a fulfilling and exciting career after your transition.

5. Anticipate Your Lifestyle Changes

The Air Force provides structure and routine, which helps guide you through life and reduce your stress. However, transitioning out of the Air Force and having to find a new job can become a whirlwind, and there will be many different lifestyle changes you’ll need to adjust to.

There is a lot more freedom in your schedule in the civilian world, which can be a new and exciting change for Airmen. But going from having total structure to having no structure can be a particularly difficult adjustment and many people may struggle with feelings of isolation, fear, stress, and more. Going unchecked, these feelings can evolve and lead to worsening mental health, substance misuse, or reckless behaviors.

Before you leave the Air Force, take some time to create a structured routine for the civilian world. This includes filling your day with productive and positive activities to provide structure, which can include:

●Going back to school

●Learning a new trade

●Learning a new hobby

●Starting a business

●Spending time with loved ones

●Exercising regularly

Creating structure in your personal and work life can make a significant difference in your transition from the Air Force to the civilian world. While you’ll still have some challenges to deal with, it will be easier to adjust and you’ll likely experience less stress.

6. Consider All Your Options

It can be a little disorienting transitioning from a career in the Air Force to a career in the civilian world, but you don’t want to rush into a career you won’t like just for some semblance of stability. Instead, take some time to carefully consider your options, ideally while you’re still in the Air Force so you have enough time to prepare and find a job once your contract ends or you retire.

Think about your current job in the Air Force. If you love what you do, then finding a similar career in the civilian world can be fulfilling. However, if you have some doubts or want to try out something new, you can use your transition as an opportunity to branch out into other industries or fields. Regardless of what you decide to do, make sure to take the time and make the effort to explore all your options. Your effort will help you find a career that makes you feel happy and fulfilled while reflecting your skills and talents.

Start and Finish Your Air Force Career on the Right Foot With AUSI

Even as you’re planning your civilian career, you need to keep your uniform in tip-top shape while you’re still in the Air Force. American Uniform Sales has you covered with our selection of AFI-compliant uniforms, rank and insignia, footwear, and more. We also offer gear to assist you during your Air Force operations, including admin accessories, backpacks, pouches, and more. You can trust our AFI-compliant uniforms will keep you within Air Force regulations so you can focus more on your career and eventually facilitate your transition. Get started by checking out our selection, or contact us with your questions.